Painful Side Effects?

[Almstprfct1]

Hey Guys and Girls, I am on day four of Harvoni Treatment and since about a day and a half I have had pain on my right side under the rib cage. It is bearable but when I twist to get up from lying down it is quite painful. I have called my Dr and am going to see him today...I am just wanting to know if anyone else has had this symptom??? Thanks in advance, Travis

[Mugwump]

The liver itself does not have nerves and does not cause pain. However when you have liver damage that causes enlargement it puts pressure on the membrane surrounding it and can cause noticeable discomfort. Or if there is an any irritation of the bile duct. If one has reached stage F4 or even F3 there can be enough swelling of the liver to cause some mild discomfort but for many there is no discomfort.

I had discomfort in the hepatic region for many years prior to treatment and it did become slightly worse for a short period of time during treatment but was by no means more than mild discomfort.

Your doctor should call for a complete abdominal ultrasound just to be certain nothing is amiss. I am overweight so fatty liver also comes into play. But I am very happy to say that now 2 years post treatment and cure the constant discomfort in my hepatic region is finally gone. 

[Almstprfct1]

Thanks so much for your input. I did see my Doctor and he said something was definitely wrong so he ordered blood work and an abdominal CT scan with contrast. I also was told to stop taking the Harvoni and the pain has actually lessened a great deal. It just sucks to wait so long for this and then have to stop taking it...

[Mugwump]

Thanks so much for your input. I did see my Doctor and he said something was definitely wrong so he ordered blood work and an abdominal CT scan with contrast. I also was told to stop taking the Harvoni and the pain has actually lessened a great deal. It just sucks to wait so long for this and then have to stop taking it...

So sorry you have stopped treatment! I hope that you had scans prior to treatment, if the pain is associated with changes due to treatment then this really needs to be carefully investigated because the numbers who have to stop treatment are very low with the new DAA treatments.

All the best finding out quickly what is going on. Good to see your doctor is on top of the situation abdominal pain is very hard to nail down sometimes as to cause so it might take a while to figure out what is happening but if it backs off or stops completely by stopping treatment this should help narrow down things.

DAA treatments do increase renal pressure and to say that I was going like a race horse during treatment is putting it mildly. During the first four weeks of treatment I almost went out and bought some adult diapers and a potty chair. The treatment effected my renal system to say the least and if I tried to hold it things got a little dicey at times and the pressure did make things very uncomfortable at times.

Eric

[I fightis thetitis]

Hi Almstprfct1

Well I have experienced abdominal pain a lot and after 10 mos post tx the source of pain is still a mystery.
The good news is it comes and goes.
I had mild upper ab pain first couple months during tx..(I was on for 24 weeks of Harvoni) Pain went away for 4 mos then returned with a vengeance 24 weeks-ish post tx.

Went to ER, GI had scans every 3 mos and keep getting the all clear. SO whatever caused my upper ab pain has not progressed enough to show up or is being mis diagnosed. GI Dr mentioned could be ulcers or colon issues as well.
So there are a few options.. I suspect liver since had hep c for 4 decades
Your situation is new to me as it sounds related to actual DAA's.

The scans are good and to make sure there are no visible lesions, gall bladder issues or blockage. Although I never had swelling that too can bring on pain bc liver pushes into other areas.
I will be following your progress. Your not alone!

Best of luck to you.

Greg

[Almstprfct1]

Thanks Greg, well all of the tests Abdominal CT/Blood Work, came back normal. The good news is most of the pain is gone too. The Dr put me on a medicine to coat my stomach in case it is an ulcer somewhere that was missed and I go back to see him in a few weeks...Hopefully we can give it another go at that point. I will keep you posted, Travis